Solar heat absorber panels

ABSTRACT

An array of panels absorptive to solar radiation  21  is made up of individual panels  24, 25  etc. A duct runs along a panel  25  and terminates near the edge of the panel as a terminals  27.  This terminal is positioned so that it shares a common axis with a second terminal on a second panel  24,  whereby the terminals may be brought into close proximity and connected with a connector  26.  This connection may be made by sliding one panel along the axis of its terminal towards a second panel.

This applications claims priority from UK patent application number0314232 filed on Jun. 19, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many different kinds of solar heat exchange panels are known.Conventional flat plate panels have the disadvantage in that theynormally lie over the roof covering, and are thus visually obtrusive andnot easy to fit in the form of an array.

My international patent application PCT/GB01/04440 describes panelswhich are integrated into a roof or wall covering and linked by a fluidduct. This application discloses some advantageous improvements whichmay be made to the system, and in particular to the method of connectingabsorber panels together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns heat exchange panels of the type used forabsorbing solar radiation and using it to heat water. More specificallyit concerns that type of panel designed to be fitted as an array to awall or roof face.

Thus according to the invention there is a plurality of panels absorbentto solar radiation laid adjacent to each other, a duct for a heattransfer medium running along each said panel, each duct having aterminal which is substantially cylindrical in form, said terminalspositioned so that a terminal on one panel is adjacent to and shares acommon axis with a second terminal on a second panel, whereby theterminals may be connected together.

The panels are best placed on a roof or wall face orientated generallytowards the equator, and they ideally have a coating which is highlyabsorptive to solar radiation. The panels my be made of aluminium,stainless steel, copper, plastic or other suitable material.

The panels may be arranged adjacent to each other in rows, and a numberof rows may be arranged next to each other so as to form an array ofpanels. One way of achieving this is to support the panels in the rowsby means of a number of horizontal battens of wood or suitablealternative material. The panels may overlie these battens, and aportion of batten between two adjacent panels may be left uncovered toreceive fasteners to hold a covering of translucent or transparentroofing tiles, slates or shingles. Such a covering will let solarradiation pass through onto the panels, while preventing heat loss tothe external air. Alternatively the panels may be made to overlap eachother so they themselves form a covering impermeable to precipitation.

The duct carries a heat transfer medium, such as water, a water mixtureor other fluid, along a panel so as to collect the solar energy absorbedby it. One advantageous way of arranging this is by means of a pipewelded, glued or otherwise attached to the panel, whereby energyabsorbed by the panel in the form of heat is transmitted to the transfermedium in the pipe. The duct may preferably be made of copper, althoughother metals or plastics may be used. An alternative arrangement is bymeans of a panel which embodies a duct, such as a double skin metalabsorber, or a plastic absorber with ducts moulded into it, but stillhaving the function of transmitting energy from the panel to thetransfer medium in the duct.

The means of connection of the panels is important, as connections needto be reliable and easy to achieve while working on a roof. Thisinvention provides for this by having duct terminals at the edges of thepanels, positioned so that when two panels are placed adjacent to eachother the terminals line up and thus may be connected with a suitableconnector. An advantageous method is to use a normal push fit pipeconnector which may be fitted to one terminal, the other terminal thenbeing pushed into it. If the panels are arranged in a horizontal row,with the terminals on the ends of the panels and on an axis parallel tothe row, then making the connections is facilitated by being able toslide one panel along the battens towards another panel, whereupon theterminals line up and may be pushed into a connector. This connector maybe a discrete item, or may be attached to one or both of two adjacentpanels.

An insulating layer may be placed behind the panels to reduce heat lossfrom the rear. A waterproof membrane may be placed behind the panelscatch any water penetrating through the panels. Such a membrane may bedamaged by ultraviolet radiation from the sun, and so it is advantageousto provide a barrier to this radiation. This barrier may be provided bymeans of offsetting the gaps between panels, and the gaps in theinsulation layer, so a gap in one layer does not coincide with a gap inanother. This may be achieved by attaching the insulation layer to thepanels, but offset slightly in one direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a single absorber panel.

FIG. 2 shows an array of absorber panels.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a roof covered with absorbers.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a roof and absorbers, with a covering ofglass slates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring first to FIG. 1, an absorber panel 11 is made of an aluminiumsheet 12 coated in a coating absorptive to solar radiation, to which iswelded a copper pipe 13. The pipe 13 traverses the sheet in a serpentinemanner, and both ends are terminated at the edge as terminals 15 and 15a. The panel is cut away 16, 16 a to allow space for connectors (notshown). An insulation board 14 is attached to the rear of the panel andprotrudes at one end so that it underlies the gap between this panel anda second panel placed adjacent to it, so as to provide a barrier tolight passing through the gap between the panels.

FIG. 2 shows an array of panels 21 formed of a number of horizontal rowsof panels (three rows are shown). The panels are supported by horizontalbattens (not shown) along the lines of the panel edges 28, 28 a. Notethe gaps 22, 22 a between the panels which allows fixings for tiles,slates or shingles to be fixed directly into the battens. The ductterminals are joined by connectors as shown at 23. During installation apanel 25 is placed on the battens near to a panel already installed 24.Panel 24 has had a connector 26 fitted to its duct terminal. The panel25 is moved towards the panel 24 whereupon the terminal 27 slides intothe connector 26 to form a water tight seal. A fluid such as water maythen be passed through the array of panels for the purpose of collectingthe heat absorbed when the sun shines on the panels.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of roof with rafters 31 supporting battens32, 32 a. A waterproof membrane is placed between the rafters and thebattens in a well known manner. On the battens are laid panels 33, 33 a,33 b which consist of aluminium sheet 34 with a duct 35 fixed to it onthe underside. An insulation board 36 is fitted between the battens.Gaps 37 are left between the panels. Thus an effective solar collectoris built up on the roof.

FIG. 4 shows a roof with panels, similar to that in FIG. 3, with theaddition of a transparent covering in the form of glass slates 41, 41 a,41 b, 41 c etc. These prevent loss of heat from the panels to theoutside. The slates are held by clips 42, 42 a which are fastened to thebattens with fixings 43, 43 a which pass through the gap 46 between twoadjacent panels. To create an insulating air gap between the panels andthe slates, the top edges of the slates rest on a spacer consisting of aridge of silicone or other suitable material 44, 44 a.

1. A plurality of panels absorbent to solar radiation laid adjacent toeach other, a duct for a heat transfer medium running along each saidpanel, each duct having a terminal which is substantially cylindrical inform, said terminals positioned so that a terminal on one panel isadjacent to and shares a common axis with a second terminal on a secondpanel, whereby said terminals may be connected together.
 2. A pluralityof panels as claimed in claim 1 wherein the panels are arranged insubstantially horizontal rows.
 3. A plurality of panels as claimed inclaim 2 wherein the panels are supported in the rows by a plurality ofhorizontal battens.
 4. A plurality of panels as claimed in claim 3wherein the panels overlie the battens.
 5. A plurality of panels asclaimed in claim 4 wherein a portion of batten between two adjacentpanels is left uncovered to receive a fastener.
 6. A plurality of panelsas claimed in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein the axes of the terminals aresubstantially parallel to the rows.
 7. A plurality of panels as claimedin any proceeding claim wherein a first panel may be moved along a rowof panels towards a second panel, whereby a terminal on the first panelmoves into sealing engagement with a terminal on the second panel.
 8. Aplurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein theterminals of two adjacent panels are connected with a connector.
 9. Aplurality of panels as claimed in claim 8 wherein a terminal is pushedinto a connector and forms a sealing engagement therewith.
 10. Aplurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the ductcomprises a pipe attached to the panel.
 11. A plurality of panels asclaimed in claim 10 wherein the pipe is made of copper.
 12. A pluralityof panels as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the panels embodythe ducts.
 13. A plurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claimwherein the panels are coated with a layer highly absorptive to solarradiation.
 14. A plurality of panels as claimed in any proceeding claimwherein the panels are made of aluminium.
 15. A plurality of panels asclaimed in any proceeding claim wherein the panels are covered with alayer translucent or transparent to solar radiation.
 16. A plurality ofpanels as claimed in claim 15 wherein the layer translucent ortransparent to solar radiation consists of mutually overlapping tiles.17. A plurality of panels as claimed in claim 15 wherein the layertranslucent or transparent to solar radiation consists of mutuallyoverlapping glass slates or shingles.
 18. A plurality of panels asclaimed in any proceeding claim wherein an insulating layer ispositioned behind the panels.
 19. A plurality of panels as claimed inany proceeding claim wherein a membrane is positioned behind the panels.20. A plurality of panels as claimed in claim 19 wherein the panelsco-operate with the insulating layer to prevent solar radiation fromreaching the membrane.
 21. A plurality of panels as claimed in anyproceeding claim wherein the panels mutually overlap so as to form alayer impermeable to precipitation.